Finite element modeling of electromagnetic properties of 3D printed materials in X‐band spectrum

Abstract

AbstractMicrowave absorbers are distinctive class of materials, which are used to absorb undesired electromagnetic waves in the microwave spectrum. A finite element modeling approach was utilized in the present study to investigate the microwave absorption properties of three different materials such as polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer, polycaprolactone‐carbonyl iron particle (CIP) composite with random orientation of CIPs, and polycaprolactone‐carbonyl iron particle composite with oriented chain structures of CIPs, fabricated by extrusion‐based 3D printing process. A two‐dimensional model was formulated comprising the material under test and two rectangular waveguides attached to the vector network analyzer. A two‐port network model was used to emulate the real‐time experimental environment. It was found from the electric field distribution plot that the oriented PCL‐CIP model reflects and transmits marginal amplitude of electromagnetic waves when compared with nonoriented PCL‐CIP model followed by pure PCL model. The simulation results were validated with the experimental findings. A minimum loss of electromagnetic energy was observed for oriented model as compared to other models, supporting the experimental findings. Larger domain wall motions and micro capacitor behavior of oriented chains of carbonyl particles were responsible for such microwave absorption properties of oriented composites. The practical utility of the present modeling and simulation approach is multifold as it can be utilized to investigate and compare the electromagnetic shielding behavior of various polymeric composites without any material wastage, machine utilization, and physical testing.